DGS releases new geologic map of Rehoboth Beach area

March 10, 2011

The Delaware Geological Survey (DGS) has published a new geologic map of the Rehoboth Beach area in eastern Sussex County entitled Geologic Map of the Fairmount and Rehoboth Beach Quadrangles, Delaware. Geologic Map 16 presents the results of research by Kelvin W. Ramsey of the DGS.

The map shows and describes the geologic units found at the land surface and in the shallow subsurface in the map area. The purpose of the map is to provide geologic information that can be used for determining such things as the geology of watersheds, recognition of the relationship between geology and regional environmental or land-use issues to support land-use and regulatory decision making, and identification of potential locations of sand and gravel resources.

When used in conjunction with subsurface geologic information, the map can be used to aid in locating water supplies for public, domestic, agricultural, and industrial use, mapping groundwater recharge areas, and protecting ground- and surface-water resources in a rapidly growing area in Sussex County.

The map contains cross sections that show stratigraphic units that lie beneath the surficial units and detailed descriptions and ages of all units presented on the map. Water-bearing sands in the Beaverdam Formation function as a major aquifer for public and agricultural water supplies in the Rehoboth Beach area. The map also includes the offshore geology from just north of Rehoboth Beach to south of Dewey Beach and includes the southern portion of Hen and Chickens Shoal, which is a potential source of offshore sand resources.

The map is part of the Delaware Geological Survey's ongoing mission to understand geologic and hydrologic systems and to advise, inform, and educate Delawareans about the results of such investigations for use in issues regarding surface and groundwater resources, agriculture, economic development, land-use planning, environmental protection, resource evaluation, engineering applications, hazard identification and mitigation, and recreation.

DGS Geologic Map No. 16 is available as a PDF to view online or as a downloadable product from the DGS website. Printed copies may be requested by contacting the DGS at 302-831-2833, via email at [delgeosurvey@udel.edu], or by visiting the DGS office at the University of Delaware campus in Newark.